GEORGE TOWN: The Penang branch of the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry seized a significant amount of subsidised cooking oil, sugar, and flour worth over RM30,000 in raids on two grocery stores in Bayan Lepas on Wednesday (July 24).
Penang Domestic Trade and Cost of Living director S. Jegan (pic) said the raids, conducted through a joint operation with the Bukit Aman's Special Investigation and Intelligence Branch, followed information and intelligence regarding premises suspected of operating without controlled goods permits.
"The first case was identified when an inspection was carried out on a grocery store suspected of operating without a controlled goods permit.
"The second case was identified when a vehicle suspected of transporting controlled goods to a nearby grocery store was detected," he said in a statement on Thursday (July 25).
Jegan said further inspection revealed that the grocery store was also operating without a controlled goods permit, resulting in three actions being taken.
As a result, the authorities seized 300kg of various branded cooking oil packets, 330kg of coarse granulated sugar, 40kg of premium coarse sugar, and 129 packs of various branded wheat flour, along with a pickup truck.
The total value of the seizures was estimated at RM37,209.90.
The case is being investigated under the Control of Supplies Act 1961 and for violation of Regulation 3(1), Control of Supplies Regulations 1974. – Bernama